2. ~Brianna~

2

~Brianna~

Life was good.

I was smiling brightly as I strolled down the corridors of Stonewell University, excited to be in my second year now and majoring in Software Engineering.

I'd spent the summer working freelance coding jobs online as well as software troubleshooting, while also kicking ass developing another app to add to my portfolio.

I now had three under my belt, the first being an educational game for young kids, the second enabling you to electronically tag and track important belongings like car keys, phones, and anything else considered vital for daily use without the need for attaching a tracker to each item. The third one was convenience-based too, but for the user's closet. It was in the testing stages by yours truly and a few students on campus. It was named Style Swipe.

Everything was right on track, things falling perfectly into place.

So much so that it no longer mattered to me that I was twenty-four years old and only in my second year of college.

Sometimes plans didn't follow the timeline you'd initially intended, but they worked out all the better for it.

My heels clacked down the hallway, the sounds of students rushing by to get to their first classes of a brand new year muffling the sharp click of my gray knee-high stiletto boots. I breathed in the anticipation and intensity swirling all around in equal measure as I made my way to the computer lab at the far end of the Science and Technology building of the campus.

I was just a few steps away when somebody cut right into my path.

I jolted back, my furry pink messenger back almost falling from my shoulder from the sharp movements.

As I adjusted it on the shoulder of my gray and pink checkered jacket that matched my skirt, I found myself looking up at a friendly face.

Chloe Anders.

We'd hit it off in my first year here.

She'd started here at twenty because she'd been getting work experience as an intern at a mid-level fashion magazine. She was doing a double major in Fashion and Mixed Media, now in her second year like me. We'd hit it off when we'd both attended a dorm party back when I'd lived there as a freshman, and a guy had gotten too handsy with her. So I'd done what anybody witnessing such a thing would do—I'd smashed his face into a wall and broken his nose, wherein he'd run off crying like a little bitch. Good times.

Of course, that had been when I'd still been trying to shake off my old life and reinvent myself. That violent reaction had been a bit of slip, so I'd made sure I hadn't done anything like that since.

I threw my arms around her, hugging her tightly.

It was the first time I'd seen her since before summer break. She'd been off at a high-elevation ski resort with her well-to-do family. We'd texted and video called a lot, but it wasn't the same as being in person.

"Long time," I spoke into her shoulder.

"Way too long."

As we eased apart, I took her in.

Her hair was edgier than it had been last year. While still dyed lavender, short—just extending down to her chin—and feathered, she'd also now had it shaved on one side. It definitely fit with her rocker chic vibe.

"Wow, it looks amazing," I said.

"Thanks." She gestured at her black denim dress that had buckles and studs all over it. "You like?"

"Did you make that over the summer?"

She winked. "Did you really think I could go months without designing something? You know it's like an addiction to me. Just like you and your apps."

I chuckled. "Too true."

My gaze dipped to her shoes. They were a unique mix of platform heals and sneakers. And these ones were half denim and half leather. "Those are really something."

"I'm making you a pair. Gray and pastel pink. You can wear them to the joint homecoming party a bunch of the frats are throwing."

I hugged her again. "I love it. Thank you."

"It's the least I can do after you gave me Style Swipe . It's the shit, Bree! I've already got the next two weeks set outfit-wise. Talk about a time-saver."

"I'm glad you like it. But, remember, any bugs, let me know."

"Will do." She gestured behind me as students started filtering in to the room I'd been headed to for my first class. "You'd better get to your snake coding class."

I grinned. "Python." Among other things.

"Right. Sorry, it's difficult remembering all of them."

"Believe me, I know." It took hours of practice too. Constant as well. Fortunately, when you enjoyed something, effort wasn't really a chore. "See you for lunch later?"

"Definitely."

She took off back down the hallway and as the crowds swallowed her from view, I went to make my way into class, only to be pulled up short by my phone buzzing in my jacket pocket.

Expecting it to be her texting me, I was more than a little surprised when, not only wasn't it her, but it was an unknown.

Blocked ID: Same hair, new look. Suits you.

I frowned down at the message.

I'd reinvented myself since coming to Stonewell last year, so the people who knew about my new look could only be from my past.

One of them who I'd been close to, yet hadn't spoken to in that same amount of time came to mind the most.

Brianna: Tommy?

We'd agreed we wouldn't talk, that we'd needed to make a clean break. But maybe he'd had a moment of weakness.

That theory was shot to hell in the next moment when a response came right back.

Blocked ID: Guess again.

Brianna: No games. Who are you?

Instead of answering, whoever it was redirected.

Blocked ID: You look well. Happy. Is it real?

Brianna: Until I know who you are, no personal information.

Blocked ID: Smart woman. Enjoy your first class.

When I didn't respond—because this was super weird and no small amount of creepy, honestly—he continued sending texts in spite of it, not the least bit put off.

Just adding to the creepiness.

Blocked ID: Loving the boots.

Shit. I shot my head up and rapidly scanned the immediate area, trying to locate anyone suspicious through the crowded hallway.

It was impossible. There were just too many people, too many possibilities.

Another text notification jolted my attention back to my phone.

Blocked ID: Don't go to the homecoming party.

My eyes narrowed at the message.

Brianna: Excuse me?

Who the hell was this stranger to tell me what I should and shouldn't do?

Blocked ID: Don't go.

Brianna: I don't take orders. Especially not from a creepy stranger texting me out of nowhere.

Blocked ID: Creepy? No. Concerned? Yes. Too many of the frat members aren't safe. Especially at that party.

Brianna: I can take care of myself.

Blocked ID: Don't put yourself in a position to test that.

Brianna: We're done here. Don't contact me again.

Blocked ID: I can't agree to that.

Brianna: It wasn't a request.

Blocked ID: I don't take orders.

Brianna: Neither do I.

Blocked ID: Love the fire. You'll see me soon, Wildflower. Until then, behave.

I stared at my phone for several moments in utter disbelief.

What. The. Hell?